Walk Through A Victorian Christmas Masterpiece At Körner’s Folly, The Most Unusual House In North Carolina
Walk into a Victorian time capsule this year with a visit to the most eclectic and unusual house in all of North Carolina. All year long, this circa 1880 home is open for self-guided tours Wednesday through Sunday and visitors are enthralled by the architectural elements and the furnishings – which are original to the home. But during the holidays, the home is adorned from floor to ceiling with period Christmas decorations and it’s positively charming.
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Decorations cover nearly every surface from the floor to the ceiling. Garland, figurines, wreaths, delicate table coverings, plate ware, glassware, and 22 beautiful trees... it's enough to almost take your breath away.
A little history behind the home: it was built by the artist behind the Bull Durham tobacco barns that once lined the landscapes all over America. Upon retiring from that venture, Jules Körner moved to Kernersville and built this magnificent home.
It was meant to showcase his new venture as an interior designer so the home features many architectural and design elements intended to be a showroom, really. And that very pointed roof you see here? Underneath that facade is America's first-ever private theater, complete with a stage that still hosts performances.
Now, back to the holiday decor. From the moment you walk through the door at Christmastime, you're transported into the past to a world at the turn of the 20th century.
The high ceilings with handcrafted plaster adornments create a lovely backdrop for all of the Christmas decorations found in every single room of the home.
A visit to Körner’s Folly any time of the year is a wonderful and inspiring journey through this old home but at Christmastime, it's positively delightful.
Holiday tours at Körner’s Folly last approximately one hour. Amateur photography is allowed (thank goodness!). Tours cost $10/adults, $6/kids age 6-18, kids under 6 are free. Or, take a self-guided special candlelight Christmas tour on the evenings of Saturday December 7 and 14, 2019. Tickets are limited for the candlelight tour and cost $15/adults. Learn more about holiday events at Körner’s Folly from this link on the official website. You can also learn more from the Facebook page here.
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
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